French aircraft are critical for Myanmar’s military to transport troops, arms and supplies for combat, as it continues to commit crimes against humanity, Justice for Myanmar reveals in its most recent investigation.
The report exposes a global network of companies that allowed Myanmar’s military to acquire, operate and service at least 10 French-manufactured turbo aircraft over the past 14 years despite a ban on their sale to Myanmar’s military.
The aircraft are manufactured by France-based Avions de Transport Regional (ATR), which is owned by Airbus and Rome-headquartered Leonardo, an aerospace company.
The fuselages and tails are made in Italy, the wings in France and the engines are supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada, according to ATR’s website. “Our aircraft help bring people, ideas, goods and markets together,” its website says.
Justice for Myanmar said that leaked Myanmar military expenditure documents for the financial year after the coup “show planned purchases of almost US$19 million in parts for the air force’s ATR fleet … Parts included multifunction computers, engine electronic control units, landing gear and radar units.”
Yadanar Maung, a spokesperson for Justice For Myanmar, said: “It is unacceptable that the Myanmar military has been able to acquire ATR aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services over many years while committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity with total impunity.”
Justice for Myanmar’s investigation found that international companies, arms brokers and commercial airlines have transferred ATR aircraft to Myanmar’s military, “in some cases hiding the end user in an apparent attempt to evade sanctions.” Myanmar and international companies have also sold parts and provided maintenance to the military’s ATR fleet, it said.
“The junta is now using these aircraft to transport troops and weapons for its nationwide campaign of terror, supporting indiscriminate attacks on civilians that amount to war crimes,” Yadanar Maung said, adding: “ATR and other international companies have failed in their human rights responsibilities by not conducting adequate due diligence to prevent their products from being used by the Myanmar military.”
Companies based in the European Union (EU), including ATR and Sabena Technics in France, and Axis Flight Simulation Systems in Austria ensured that the military’s ATRs could keep flying by repairing key components, spare parts, and enabling the training of air force pilots, the investigation found. This was often done through commercial airlines in Myanmar that own ATRs but have close ties to the military, Justice for Myanmar explains in its investigation.
The EU firms repairing components, selling parts and training air force pilots in Myanmar failed to conduct sufficient due diligence to determine that their end client was Myanmar’s air force, the report notes.
Companies in Myanmar, the United States, Israel and Singapore also supplied parts and provided maintenance to the aircraft, even – in some cases – after the coup, the investigation found.
“Governments need to take urgent action to ensure that the Myanmar air force can no longer make use of the at least ten ATR aircraft that it relies on for its brutal attacks against children, schools, clinics and whole communities,” Justice for Myanmar said. “This must involve cutting the military’s access to spare parts, training and technical support for its ATR aircraft.”
“The military’s use of French aircraft for the commission of international crimes also shows the clear need for the EU to expand and better enforce its restrictive measures on Myanmar,” Justice for Myanmar said. “Singapore also needs to do more to cut off the military’s access to dual-use goods and technology, and to stop allowing Myanmar military arms brokers from operating in its territory,” it added.
In Myanmar, the military has used commercial airlines and crony companies to purchase ATRs and keep them flying. Air KBZ (now Mingalar Aviation), owned by the crony 24 Hour Group, transferred two ATR aircraft to the air force and allowed arms broker International Gateways Group to use its name to procure two more ATRs from Vietnam Airlines. Military-linked conglomerate KT Group brokered the acquisition of two ATR aircraft for the military through its British Virgin Islands subsidiary MWG Limited, Justice for Myanmar said.
Other ATR aircraft have been provided by the crony conglomerate Htoo Group, which has additionally provided maintenance for at least six of the air force’s ATRs, the investigation found.
Justice For Myanmar is calling on governments to urgently block the Myanmar air force and its brokers from accessing spare and replacement parts, receiving flight crew and maintenance training, and accessing instructions needed for the continuing airworthiness of its ATR aircraft.
Targeted and coordinated sanctions should be extended to all Myanmar companies supporting the military’s ATR fleet, including 24 Hour Group, KT Group, International Gateways Group and Htoo Group.
International companies should halt all business with Myanmar arms brokers and civilian airline companies that have supported the Myanmar military, Justice for Myanmar said, adding: “Governments need to take urgent action to ensure that the Myanmar air force can no longer make use of the at least 10 ATR aircraft that it relies on for its brutal attacks against children, schools, clinics and whole communities.”
The military’s use of French aircraft to commit war crimes clearly shows that the EU needs to expand and better enforce sanctions on Myanmar. “Singapore also needs to do more to cut off the military’s access to dual-use goods and technology, and to stop allowing Myanmar military arms brokers from operating in its territory,” Justice for Myanmar said.
The investigation was based on photographs, budget expenditure documents, contracts for the purchase of aircraft, maintenance, repair and overhaul files, meeting records, public information and details from individuals who have first-hand experience.
